It's time, once again, for my annual December tradition. No, I don't mean eating fruitcake (which I never do) or sending out chocolates (which I do every year). I'm talking about cleaning off my desk and files.

Yes, yes, I know ... If I were a better (or at least more organized) person, I'd clear off my desk more than just once a year. But let's face it — I'm the kind of person who does better with "piles" than "files." If I put something in a drawer, it's likely to be forgotten forever. So I like to have piles of stuff on my desk.

There's nothing inherently wrong with working this way. But I have a friend who never cleaned off his desk. After more than a decade, he couldn't even be seen behind the piles.

So, during the last week or so of the year — when things are much quieter around the office, it's a good time to make sure I can see my desktop — and finally get rid of the dust.

You may want to pick up on my tradition. You'll feel better, and you're likely to find the business card of that key prospect you wanted to follow up on.

So wear comfy clothes — jeans preferably. Go to the office. Play some lively music and start cleaning.

First, let's get our equipment ready:

1. Two trashcans: One for trash; one for recyclable papers. As you pick up each piece of paper, if you're not going to keep it, toss it now.

2. A shredder: Unfortunately, it's not safe to throw some stuff in the trash. I get dozens of pre-approved credit card offers and documents containing confidential information. Shred, shred, shred.

3. Small Post-It notes and a pen: For those documents you're going to keep, put a Post-It with the name of the file. Go through a whole stack this way and then make the files all at once.

4. Scissors and stapler or scanner: Sometimes you only want one article from a newspaper or magazine. Clip what you want and toss the rest. Scanning eliminates paper altogether.

5. An address database: Have a pile of business cards on your desk like I do? Decide which names are important and enter them into an address database. If you have an electronic business card reader, it makes the process faster. Toss the rest.

7. File folders and file drawers: You need a place to put your files, don't you? Ideally, have at least one file drawer in easy reach from your desk.

8. Label maker: Files look better with printed labels. Label makers cost less than $30, and we all love the one in our office.

Next, figure out what you absolutely must keep. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Financial documents: Tax returns or any tax filings, bank statements and bookkeeping records. My bookkeeper advised me to retain for a minimum of five years the receipts, bills, or other documentation for items I deduct from taxes.

2. Legal documents: Contracts, business licenses, county tax papers, critical correspondence with suppliers or customers, and anything that might involve a legal action on which the statute of limitation has not run out. Some legal papers, such as your company's incorporation documents, you should hold on to for as long as you're in business.

3. Personnel records: Payroll records, insurance documents, performance reviews, and anything else that might be necessary in an emergency, if an employee ever has their wages garnished, or if you later face a lawsuit. But be careful to protect privacy and insure against identity theft. Legally, you're required to shred employee applications from those you did not hire.

4. Bids: You naturally hold on to supplier's bids until the work is finished, but it's also useful to retain even losing bids for the past year or two to keep track of pricing.

5. My columns: Hey, some things are obviously worth saving.

So clean off your desk — you'll feel better and more energetic about facing the new year. Happy holidays!

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